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These Jaguars receivers are reliable

Bob.Mack@jacksonville.com Jaguars receiver Mike Brown catches a pass from Chad Henne during Sunday's game against the Titans.

The Jaguars are down nearly 1,300 yards of production this season from their receivers, but have avoided a huge drop-off.

Mike Brown, Ace Sanders and Kerry Taylor have formed a reliable cast for quarterback Chad Henne to work with as the season winds down. Henne had little trouble connecting with his wide receivers in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to Tennessee at EverBank Field.

Against the Titans’ 10th-best pass defense, Henne completed 14-of-19 passes to his receivers (73.6 percent). None of the five incompletions were drops.

“There were some things out there that we left on the field,” said Sanders, a fourth-round pick in April.

“We weren’t perfect, but we were ready.”

The unit has one more game left to make strides when the Jaguars (4-11) cap their season at Indianapolis (10-5) on Sunday.

“We made the plays on the balls that were thrown to us,” said Taylor, who joined the team on Nov. 4 after starting the season with Arizona.

“We caught the ball well, ran good routes and blocked pretty well. So, I think it was a pretty good day for the receiving corps.”

The Jaguars are missing prime targets in Cecil Shorts (groin injury) and Justin Blackmon (suspension). In addition, receivers Stephen Burton (concussion), Stephen Williams (Achilles) and Jeremy Ebert (concussion) are also out. That group has combined to catch 106 passes for 1,286 yards and four touchdowns this season.

“The receiving corps has been banged up all year, but they’ve done a great job,” Henne said. “Kerry coming in off the practice squad in Arizona and given the opportunity, he’s made plays for us and big plays for us. Mike has been very consistent for us all year. You just see the progression of Ace week-by-week trying to get involved in different things. He’s making some big plays for us.”

Brown caught a touchdown pass against the Titans, his second of the season. Henne checked to a quick bubble screen from the Titans’ 7-yard line. He quickly got Brown the ball in the slot. Brown showed his physical ability in gaining the final three yards after contact.

“It was a little quick screen,” Brown said. “[Tight end] Clay Harbor did a good job of blocking his man. I got down inside the five and lowered my shoulder to fall forward into the end zone. It was an option off the run play if they gave us a good look to throw a quick screen. It was Chad’s choice which play to run.”

Brown caught five passes for 71 yards. Taylor gained 45 yards on four grabs, while Sanders had four receptions for 20 yards. Receiver Lamaar Thomas also caught a pass for 13 yards in his first NFL game.

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said Monday he thought the receiving corps did a “pretty good” job against the Titans. On Sunday, the Jaguars will face a Colts defense that ranks 12th against the pass.

“Mike Brown, we know what we’re getting from him, a strong competitor,” Bradley said. “The touchdown play that he had, he did a great job on that. I think overall even Kerry made some nice plays. He continues to grow in this offense. Ace competed. So, I think we know what they have. We know what they’re bringing and I think they’re getting closer to where they’re playing up to their ability and playing it consistently.”